WILL SEEING A PSYCHOLOGIST HELP ME?
There is a good body of evidence that shows most people who attend at least several therapy sessions with a psychologist fair much better than people with emotional difficulties who go untreated. One major research study showed that 50% of clients noticeably improved after just eight sessions, while 75% of individuals in therapy improved by the end of six months. It has been shown that some forms of therapy can effectively decrease a client's depression, anxiety, and other related physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, headaches and nausea. It has become well-established that emotional and physical health are closely related and that seeing a psychologist can improve a person's overall health and well-being.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO GET "BETTER"?
At the start of therapy, you and your psychologist should collaboratively establish clear goals to work towards. People come into therapy for all sorts of reasons. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed with life and find it difficult to get motivated to get things done. Or maybe the only way you feel as though you can alleviate your anxiety is through emotionally eating, which then leads you to over-exercise and you can't seem to break this habit. Remember, certain goals require more time to reach than others. Different people may begin to see progress at different points in their therapy. It is not uncommon to feel a sense of relief, and a sense of hope almost immediately, which are good signs that therapy is already beginning to work.
WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY? ... ARE THERE ANY LIMITS?
In general, the privacy of all communications between a client and a psychologist is protected by law; I can only release information about our work together with your written permission. However, there are some exceptions to this and they are as follows:
I will make every effort to fully discuss any concerns with you before taking any action.
HOW LONG IS A THERAPY SESSION?
Your initial session will be 50 minutes in length. In this session, we will discuss what is bringing you into therapy and what your presenting problems are. In addition, any emotional and physical symptoms that you may be experiencing will be reviewed in order to gain a better understanding of who you are as a person.
Subsequent sessions are 45-50 minutes in duration. What is done in these sessions will vary greatly from person-to-person. In these sessions some of the things that will be done are: clarify and define specific treatment goals; develop healthy coping skills; challenge and modify unhealthy thoughts and behaviors; practice relaxation and anxiety reduction techniques; work on self-monitoring and self-reflection; develop problem-solving abilities; enhance motivation for change; develop safety plans; attend to emotional experience; and a host of other skills and techniques.
Longer therapeutic sessions are offered and can be arranged. Please discuss with Dr. Atti if this is something you are interested in. She would be happy to discuss this possibility, along with the appropriate price-adjustment.
HOW OFTEN DO I ATTEND SESSIONS?
Clients will typically meet with Dr. Atti once a week; however, frequency of sessions will vary from person-to-person and depends on a number of factors including: severity of problems; expectations and desire to attend more or less frequently; scheduling and availability; financial means; and mode of treatment. Dr. Atti will speak with you about her clinical recommendations and will use her judgement and expertise to inform you what she believes to be appropriate.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO BE IN THERAPY?
There is no standard answer here besides, "it depends". The length of treatment is dependent on the severity of your problems, your goals that are defined in therapy, and your expectations about therapy. All treatments are individually crafted for each person, so the length of treatment will vary greatly from person-to-person. While change and progress can certainly occur in as little as 3 to 6 months, there are some people where change and progress may occur at a slower rate. It is not uncommon for people to remain in therapy for longer periods of time, be it 1 year or 5 years, or even longer. Dr. Atti is open to discuss any expectations for the length of your treatment and is open to questions, comments, and concerns about this. Rest assured that treatment duration is visited on an ongoing basis to assess progress towards treatment goals, alleviation of psychological and physical symptoms, the benefit versus risk of treatment, and modify and explore new goals.
WHAT IS COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In examining unhelpful, maladaptive thoughts, unhealthy behaviors, and negative emotions we can begin to change the way we think, behave, and ultimately, the way we feel. CBT has been empirically validated as an effective treatment for a wide-range of issues including (but not limited to): depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorders, personality disorders, among others.
CBT involves collaboration between client and psychologist and involves the identification of treatment goals, monitoring, and the development of skills and techniques. These new skills and techniques are practiced not just in session, but at home, in order to facilitate take-home skills and maximize the tools that clients are able to acquire and utilize regularly.
WHAT IS DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specific form of CBT that is used to treat a general group of people whose behaviors are related to difficulties in emotional regulation. Although originally developed for individuals engaging in suicidal behaviors, DBT has been proven to be effective when working with adolescents and adults who experience intense emotions and struggle to cope effectively with them.
DBT has been able to help people with: impulsive behaviors; suicidal gestures and self-harm; interpersonal conflict; family and relationship problems; mood swings; anger management problems; feelings of inadequacy; fears of abandonment; avoidance behaviors; cognitive distortions; feelings of disconnect and so many other issues. DBT is able to provide individuals with tools to increase distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and mindfulness skills.
HOW IS A PSYCHOLOGIST DIFFERENT THAN A PSYCHIATRIST?
Psychologists in the state of Florida must have a doctoral degree in psychology which typically takes the form of a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). They are highly trained professionals with expertise in the areas of human behavior, mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and behavior change. A psychologist in private practice is extensively trained in the area of psychotherapy and apply evidenced-based practices to help people change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They can typically be found providing individual, couples, family and/or group therapy to clients, in addition to psychological assessment, research and consultation.
Psychiatrists must have a medical degree which typically take the form of a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O). They are also highly trained professionals with expertise prescribing psychotropic medication and performing medical procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). A psychiatrist in private practice is extensively trained in the area of psycho-pharmacology and apply psychiatric knowledge to diagnosis and treat clients. While some provide psychotherapy, many spend their time meeting with clients, prescribing psychotropic medication, conducting research, and consulting with hospitals.
DO I NEED MEDICATION?
It is not uncommon for individual's to meet with a Psychologist for therapy, and also meet with a Psychiatrist for psychotropic medication. For some people, medication may be very helpful, or even necessary; however, medication should NOT be used in replacement of therapy. A common misconception is that medication will "fix" a person's problems while the reality is, although they may address some symptoms, they may simply be masking what is really going on. It is important to know that the causes and root of your problems is what is creating emotional and, in some cases, physical discomfort so in order to promote long term relief you must address the core issues. Not every person is in need of psychotropic medications and Dr. Atti will monitor and assess the potential that you may need to meet with a Psychiatrist. In the event that Dr. Atti believes that you may benefit from a consultation with a Psychiatrist, she is more than happy to help you with an appropriate referral.
HOW MUCH DOES THERAPY COST?
It is true that therapy can be a big financial investment, and something to give serious thought to. Bust most people eventually decide to start therapy because the cost of NOT addressing their life issues become even greater.
Dr. Atti's fees are in-line with other licensed psychologists in the area, and is adjusted from time-to-time. Dr. Atti will work with you to try and find a fee that fits. Otherwise, she will provide you with referrals to trusted colleagues.
At this time, Dr. Atti's fees are as follows:
Rates:
WHY DON'T YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
Every person is deserving of individualized, confidential care that is catered towards their own needs and wants. When a person uses an insurance company for their mental health needs, unfortunately their care is often dictated by their insurance providers, thus impacting the type of treatment Dr. Atti is able to provide. By using your insurance company, personal information about you is often required to be divulged in which makes confidentiality an uncertainty. In addition, as medical records move towards electronic records, it is possible that your information, including diagnoses, could be submitted into a central computer network which can be accessed by several entities (e.g., law enforcement agencies, colleges, life and health insurance companies, etc.) and could potentially be held against you or your children. Further, insurance companies require timely paperwork and frequent correspondence, and Dr. Atti believes that this time is better spent on more valuable endeavors, such as time with you and developing your individual treatment plan.
In Dr. Atti's experience, clients with health insurance are generally reimbursed 50 to 80% of the cost of their sessions which makes going to an "out of network" provider more feasible. She is willing to provide you with a billing statement that you can submit to your insurance provider if you are wishing to seek reimbursement. Again, Dr. Atti encourages you to contact your insurance company directly in order to inquire about your benefits. In the event that your insurance company does not have any "out of network" benefits, Dr. Atti is able to offer reduced fees, and she is more than happy to work with you.
WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK MY INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT "OUT OF NETWORK" BENEFITS?
It is the responsibility of each client to contact their current insurance provider to determine if there are any "out of network" benefits. Some good questions to ask are:
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
Please understand that your scheduled appointment is time that is specifically reserved just for you. Due to this, Dr. Atti requires that you provide AT LEAST 24-hours advanced notice in the event that you have to cancel or re-schedule your appointment. This 24-hour time requirement allows Dr. Atti the opportunity to contact another client who is in need of her services. If you fail to cancel your appointment within this 24-hour time period, you will be required to pay the full cost of your session, which will be automatically charged to the credit card that Dr. Atti has on file for you. She appreciates your cooperation in this very important matter.
There is a good body of evidence that shows most people who attend at least several therapy sessions with a psychologist fair much better than people with emotional difficulties who go untreated. One major research study showed that 50% of clients noticeably improved after just eight sessions, while 75% of individuals in therapy improved by the end of six months. It has been shown that some forms of therapy can effectively decrease a client's depression, anxiety, and other related physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, headaches and nausea. It has become well-established that emotional and physical health are closely related and that seeing a psychologist can improve a person's overall health and well-being.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO GET "BETTER"?
At the start of therapy, you and your psychologist should collaboratively establish clear goals to work towards. People come into therapy for all sorts of reasons. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed with life and find it difficult to get motivated to get things done. Or maybe the only way you feel as though you can alleviate your anxiety is through emotionally eating, which then leads you to over-exercise and you can't seem to break this habit. Remember, certain goals require more time to reach than others. Different people may begin to see progress at different points in their therapy. It is not uncommon to feel a sense of relief, and a sense of hope almost immediately, which are good signs that therapy is already beginning to work.
WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY? ... ARE THERE ANY LIMITS?
In general, the privacy of all communications between a client and a psychologist is protected by law; I can only release information about our work together with your written permission. However, there are some exceptions to this and they are as follows:
- If you report the abuse of a child, an elderly person, or someone who is mentally or physically disabled, I must report this to the appropriate state agency. I am legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm.
- If you state that you are going to harm yourself or somebody else, I am required to take protective actions in order to facilitate keeping you and others safe. These actions may include: notifying the potential victim, contacting the police, seeking hospitalization for the client who is threatening harm to them self, or contact family members or others who may hep provide protection.
- If a judge orders my testimony in legal proceedings that involve child custody and/or your emotional condition as it applies to an important issue.
I will make every effort to fully discuss any concerns with you before taking any action.
HOW LONG IS A THERAPY SESSION?
Your initial session will be 50 minutes in length. In this session, we will discuss what is bringing you into therapy and what your presenting problems are. In addition, any emotional and physical symptoms that you may be experiencing will be reviewed in order to gain a better understanding of who you are as a person.
Subsequent sessions are 45-50 minutes in duration. What is done in these sessions will vary greatly from person-to-person. In these sessions some of the things that will be done are: clarify and define specific treatment goals; develop healthy coping skills; challenge and modify unhealthy thoughts and behaviors; practice relaxation and anxiety reduction techniques; work on self-monitoring and self-reflection; develop problem-solving abilities; enhance motivation for change; develop safety plans; attend to emotional experience; and a host of other skills and techniques.
Longer therapeutic sessions are offered and can be arranged. Please discuss with Dr. Atti if this is something you are interested in. She would be happy to discuss this possibility, along with the appropriate price-adjustment.
HOW OFTEN DO I ATTEND SESSIONS?
Clients will typically meet with Dr. Atti once a week; however, frequency of sessions will vary from person-to-person and depends on a number of factors including: severity of problems; expectations and desire to attend more or less frequently; scheduling and availability; financial means; and mode of treatment. Dr. Atti will speak with you about her clinical recommendations and will use her judgement and expertise to inform you what she believes to be appropriate.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO BE IN THERAPY?
There is no standard answer here besides, "it depends". The length of treatment is dependent on the severity of your problems, your goals that are defined in therapy, and your expectations about therapy. All treatments are individually crafted for each person, so the length of treatment will vary greatly from person-to-person. While change and progress can certainly occur in as little as 3 to 6 months, there are some people where change and progress may occur at a slower rate. It is not uncommon for people to remain in therapy for longer periods of time, be it 1 year or 5 years, or even longer. Dr. Atti is open to discuss any expectations for the length of your treatment and is open to questions, comments, and concerns about this. Rest assured that treatment duration is visited on an ongoing basis to assess progress towards treatment goals, alleviation of psychological and physical symptoms, the benefit versus risk of treatment, and modify and explore new goals.
WHAT IS COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In examining unhelpful, maladaptive thoughts, unhealthy behaviors, and negative emotions we can begin to change the way we think, behave, and ultimately, the way we feel. CBT has been empirically validated as an effective treatment for a wide-range of issues including (but not limited to): depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorders, personality disorders, among others.
CBT involves collaboration between client and psychologist and involves the identification of treatment goals, monitoring, and the development of skills and techniques. These new skills and techniques are practiced not just in session, but at home, in order to facilitate take-home skills and maximize the tools that clients are able to acquire and utilize regularly.
WHAT IS DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specific form of CBT that is used to treat a general group of people whose behaviors are related to difficulties in emotional regulation. Although originally developed for individuals engaging in suicidal behaviors, DBT has been proven to be effective when working with adolescents and adults who experience intense emotions and struggle to cope effectively with them.
DBT has been able to help people with: impulsive behaviors; suicidal gestures and self-harm; interpersonal conflict; family and relationship problems; mood swings; anger management problems; feelings of inadequacy; fears of abandonment; avoidance behaviors; cognitive distortions; feelings of disconnect and so many other issues. DBT is able to provide individuals with tools to increase distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and mindfulness skills.
HOW IS A PSYCHOLOGIST DIFFERENT THAN A PSYCHIATRIST?
Psychologists in the state of Florida must have a doctoral degree in psychology which typically takes the form of a doctor of psychology (Psy.D.) or doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). They are highly trained professionals with expertise in the areas of human behavior, mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and behavior change. A psychologist in private practice is extensively trained in the area of psychotherapy and apply evidenced-based practices to help people change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They can typically be found providing individual, couples, family and/or group therapy to clients, in addition to psychological assessment, research and consultation.
Psychiatrists must have a medical degree which typically take the form of a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O). They are also highly trained professionals with expertise prescribing psychotropic medication and performing medical procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). A psychiatrist in private practice is extensively trained in the area of psycho-pharmacology and apply psychiatric knowledge to diagnosis and treat clients. While some provide psychotherapy, many spend their time meeting with clients, prescribing psychotropic medication, conducting research, and consulting with hospitals.
DO I NEED MEDICATION?
It is not uncommon for individual's to meet with a Psychologist for therapy, and also meet with a Psychiatrist for psychotropic medication. For some people, medication may be very helpful, or even necessary; however, medication should NOT be used in replacement of therapy. A common misconception is that medication will "fix" a person's problems while the reality is, although they may address some symptoms, they may simply be masking what is really going on. It is important to know that the causes and root of your problems is what is creating emotional and, in some cases, physical discomfort so in order to promote long term relief you must address the core issues. Not every person is in need of psychotropic medications and Dr. Atti will monitor and assess the potential that you may need to meet with a Psychiatrist. In the event that Dr. Atti believes that you may benefit from a consultation with a Psychiatrist, she is more than happy to help you with an appropriate referral.
HOW MUCH DOES THERAPY COST?
It is true that therapy can be a big financial investment, and something to give serious thought to. Bust most people eventually decide to start therapy because the cost of NOT addressing their life issues become even greater.
Dr. Atti's fees are in-line with other licensed psychologists in the area, and is adjusted from time-to-time. Dr. Atti will work with you to try and find a fee that fits. Otherwise, she will provide you with referrals to trusted colleagues.
At this time, Dr. Atti's fees are as follows:
Rates:
- For Individuals:
- Initial Evaluation: $275 - 50 Minutes
- Regular Sessions: $250 - 45-50 Minutes
- For Couples & Families:
- Initial Evaluation: $325 - 50 Minutes
- Regular Session: $300 - 45-50 Minutes
WHY DON'T YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
Every person is deserving of individualized, confidential care that is catered towards their own needs and wants. When a person uses an insurance company for their mental health needs, unfortunately their care is often dictated by their insurance providers, thus impacting the type of treatment Dr. Atti is able to provide. By using your insurance company, personal information about you is often required to be divulged in which makes confidentiality an uncertainty. In addition, as medical records move towards electronic records, it is possible that your information, including diagnoses, could be submitted into a central computer network which can be accessed by several entities (e.g., law enforcement agencies, colleges, life and health insurance companies, etc.) and could potentially be held against you or your children. Further, insurance companies require timely paperwork and frequent correspondence, and Dr. Atti believes that this time is better spent on more valuable endeavors, such as time with you and developing your individual treatment plan.
In Dr. Atti's experience, clients with health insurance are generally reimbursed 50 to 80% of the cost of their sessions which makes going to an "out of network" provider more feasible. She is willing to provide you with a billing statement that you can submit to your insurance provider if you are wishing to seek reimbursement. Again, Dr. Atti encourages you to contact your insurance company directly in order to inquire about your benefits. In the event that your insurance company does not have any "out of network" benefits, Dr. Atti is able to offer reduced fees, and she is more than happy to work with you.
WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK MY INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT "OUT OF NETWORK" BENEFITS?
It is the responsibility of each client to contact their current insurance provider to determine if there are any "out of network" benefits. Some good questions to ask are:
- Do I have mental health or behavioral health benefits?
- How many sessions per year are covered by my insurance?
- Is there a deductible that has to be met?
- What portion of my "out of network" therapy cost is covered?
- Is pre-authorization from my primary care physician required?
- What is the maximum amount of "out of network" benefits that you provide?
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
Please understand that your scheduled appointment is time that is specifically reserved just for you. Due to this, Dr. Atti requires that you provide AT LEAST 24-hours advanced notice in the event that you have to cancel or re-schedule your appointment. This 24-hour time requirement allows Dr. Atti the opportunity to contact another client who is in need of her services. If you fail to cancel your appointment within this 24-hour time period, you will be required to pay the full cost of your session, which will be automatically charged to the credit card that Dr. Atti has on file for you. She appreciates your cooperation in this very important matter.
"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results".
- Willie Nelson